Content
How to Choose the Pot Needed for Swiss Chard
How to Eat Swiss Chard
Health Benefits of Swiss Chard
Intro
If you would like a way to improve your garden and grow something new, swiss chard may be the perfect plant! Whether in containers or not, these green-leafed vegetables are just downright delicious. It's easy enough to start growing them from seed so we'll show you how - read on now if gardening is your thing!
How to Choose the Pot Needed for Swiss Chard
A popular way to grow Swiss Chard is in containers, which gives you more control over how they are grown and where they are placed than just planting them directly into your garden beds and allows you to protect seeds from rodents that might otherwise eat them before they have a chance to germinate. Whether growing Swiss Chard indoors or outdoors, it will need at least one gallon-sized container filled with potting soil mixed with compost for good drainage - make sure it's not too heavy on fertilizer as this can inhibit root growth! A bigger container (at least twelve inches deep) would be better if growing swiss chard seedlings outside; indoor growers may find smaller containers to be more suitable.
The best container to grow swiss chard in is one with good drainage and ample room for the plant's root system. Swiss Chard can be grown just about anywhere, but it will do better if you provide plenty of water - especially when growing Swiss Chard from seed indoors!
Swiss chard will need a container that is at least twenty-four inches wide and twelve inches tall (preferably deeper) will work well for growing Swiss Chard from seed indoors or outdoors. The space required below ground can vary greatly depending on how you want your plant spaced out - some people prefer a lot of roots exposed while others like their plants to have more room underground.
The best material for a pot is ceramic, plastic or terra cotta.
Sunlight Requirements
Lighting conditions: Full sun exposure - up to six hours a day will work well for these leaves, but they can thrive in partial shade as long as that doesn't exceed eight hours per day.
Water Requirements
Water requirements: The plant requires moist and wet soils due to its dense foliage (although not too much because this may lead to fungus). You can check the soil by poking your finger in it; if you can't feel any moisture, then add water.
Type of Soil Needed
Swiss Chard needs a soil type that is rich in nutrients and doesn't hold too much water. It needs to have a well-balanced pH with enough room for the roots to grow, so add compost or other organic material if you need some help balancing out your garden's terrain!
I prefer to make a soil mix myself, but you may also choose a good potting soil. I like Happy Frog Potting Soil. It's essential to make sure you use a potting mix if you buy soil. Buying potting soil will get expensive. Well-draining soil is vital for growing in pots. Swiss chard needs well-draining loamy soil rich in organic matter.
A good soil mixture is one part compost, one part coco coir, and one part perlite. I add one tablespoon of greensand, one tablespoon of bone meal, one tablespoon of blood meal, and half a tablespoon of azomite to the mix. This is what I use for a one-gallon container.
How to Plant Swiss Chard Seeds
Using soil blocks is an excellent way to start your seeds. Make your soil blocks, add them to a clear plastic container, and place them in a sunny location or under grow lights. Using a plastic container with a lid will create condensation so your seeds will stay moist and they will not need to be watered continually. Doing this will ensure that your seedlings will not be leggy when they germinate because they will have light soon after germination. When seedlings don't get the sunlight or grow light, they will grow tall and skinny. These will not be healthy or strong seedlings.
Using a heat mat will also help your seedlings to germinate. Swiss chard seeds germinate best in temperatures from 55 degrees to 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
Swiss Chard Growing Tips
Here are a few tips on growing swiss chard
-Swiss chard is a cool-weather crop and should be planted in early spring
-A pH of between about six to seven will work best for this vegetable - if you have alkaline soil, it can cause the leaves to yellow; while acidity can lead to nutrient deficiencies. You may want to consider growing swiss chard with other vegetables that thrive at similar levels such as peas or beans
It has been said that "swiss" means 'pertaining to Switzerland' (although others believe it derives from the German word 'schweizer', which refers specifically to Swiss citizens). The name originates because both types of plants are popular throughout Europe.
The word ‘chards’ comes from two French words: these are 'charre' and 'doux'. The former means a wagon, trolley, or cart; the latter refers to tenderness.
How to Eat Swiss Chard
Consider planting a row of spinach next to your swiss chard for an easy leafy salad!
A way you could prepare this vegetable is by cutting it into thin strips or chopping it into chunks before sauteing them with olive oil and garlic until they're wilted down enough. Then just add a bit more water if need be, cover, reduce heat and cook for about five minutes longer - that's all there is
There are many ways you can prepare swiss chard - here are some more popular ones that include sautéeing with olive oil or butter, roasting whole in foil packets (this helps preserve nutrients), stir fry with ginger garlic soy sauce on high heat until wilted and finally steaming this vegetable so that they have a soft texture.
Health Benefits of Swiss Chard
Health benefits: Swiss Chard is an excellent source of vitamins A and C as well as calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium, and manganese. It also includes some fiber which helps to regulate blood sugar levels! Eating swiss chard can help with constipation and is a great weight-loss tool!
I hope this post has given you a better understanding of how to grow swiss chard at home. If your garden is still bare and it looks like the spring weather might finally be arriving, don’t forget to plant some Swiss Chard for an easy crop that can produce all year long! Which variety of swiss chard do you prefer? Let me know in the comments below.
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